Houston Texans Mock Draft With A Twist
by TexansDC on Mar 11, 2011 2:00 PM CST
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PrintLately, I've been a tad bored with football news. It's either how the Houston Texans weren't aggressive enough in that mini-free agency period, how greedy owners and players may ruin their golden goose, or how [insert converted defensive end into outside linebacker here] will be drafted by the Texans in April because [insert lame joke about the
Reading the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again stops being fun after a while. If I wanted to be bored, I'd go over to this website here and let boredom reign. Talking and writing about football should have some enjoyment and be entertaining, so that's what I'm going to do here with this little mock draft post.
First, I'm going to try and avoid those same ol’ names I've seen linked to
1st Round – Alabama WR Julio Jones
I’m going for talent regardless of defensive need, so there’s no front seven defender here. Arguably, Jones is the next big thing at wide receiver. An outstanding NFL Combine performance, on a fractured foot no less, just sealed the deal for me. With him and Andre Johnson outside, teams won’t be able to stop the Texans offense.
2nd Round – Trade a future pick and/or some 4-3 talent that doesn’t fit to a team in the 30s then take Illinois ILB Martez Wilson.
I’ve talked about
3rd Round – Nevada OLB Dontay Moch
Are you noticing a theme here? I’m on a mission to add some speed into the roster, and Moch has speed. Moch’s main issue is how raw he is, but a 3rd round pick is the typical Texans slot for a raw prospect. Moch can rotate in as a speed-rushing specialist and develop. If
4th Round –
The unofficial fastest man at the Combine with a 4.29, Skrine continues our theme of speed. More over, he earned the praise of famed cover corner Deion Sanders during the NFL Network’s Combine coverage. That’s a whole lot more praise than any of our cornerbacks have received lately. Have Skrine challenge for the nickel role and see what happens.
5th Round – Nebraska K/P Alex Henery
What’s more freaky than someone who can play dual positions in the NFL? Everyone’s aware of Henery’s booming leg as a kicker, kick-off specialist, and punter. He would be a perfect replacement for grizzled veteran Matt Turk. Would I replace Rackers as well? Probably not this year. I’d let Henery kick the 50+ yarders, but Rackers was money from inside 50 and a willing tackler on special teams. Still, Henery’s an incredible talent who does make the team better – especially if it means Turk is gone.
6th Round –South Carolina FS Chris Culliver
Culliver’s an interesting fellow. He started as a WR, spent two years at FS, and then was a senior CB for the Gamecocks. This rawness and inexperience is why he can be had so low. Easily, his best two years were as a free safety where he could use his 4.45 speed to roam and play centerfield. During those FS years, he had 122 tackles, 2 sacks, 12 passes broken up, 3 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. Whether he one day starts or provides a better back-up option than Troy Nolan and Dominique Barber, Culliver would be a shrewd 6th rounder.
7th Round – Wyoming S Chris Prosinski
Prosinski is a tackling machine safety. As starter for three seasons, he averaged 112 tackles and 2 forced fumbles a year. Granted, he was a free safety, but Wade Phillips’ system requires both his safeties to be adept at both tackling and coverage. Speaking of coverage, Chris tallied 20 passes defensed and five interceptions at
Alright, there you have it. There’s a different kind of mock with new names to ponder and think about. Sound off below on these guys, other guys that no one else has mentioned with the Texans, or your own dream mock (free of busts and Rick Smith’s decision-making).
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Hell no.
We need to go defense first.
We already have a top 3 offense right now, while we have a historically bad defense.
If Quinn falls to us, he’s a no-brainer. Same goes for Amukamara.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
Prince is FAR from a no brainer.
Very far. He is gonna be a bust as a first round pick, and that’s the last thing we need in our secondary….. Another rookie
I’m holding out hope for Jon Joseph as a FA signing.
I’m also praying that of there is a rookie in the secondary that’s going to be a starter, I hope it’s at the safety position.
And call me crazy, but I’m not opposed to bringing back reeves to be the third or fourth CB, assuming quin is at safety
And I would love them to take a flyer on BEAL in round 6 or 7
by AllenOU on Mar 11, 2011 2:35 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Should have never released him
but i think we could do better than him
and the clouds opened up and God said "I Hate you Texans Fans."
He's an OU fan.
That doesn’t bode well for Nebraska players haha.
by RamblinWreck7 on Mar 15, 2011 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions
I disagree that Quinn's a no-brainer
A guy who racked up sacks against the small schools, has missed a season, and is converting from 4-3 DE to 3-4 OLB? He’s no Patrick Patterson Peterson.
Ultimately, I do think it’ll be a DE>OLB convert…but the idea has thrilled me less and less with each passing day (and more so after Wilson’s Combine day where he showed great athleticism which spurred me to look into him). I think Aldon Smith and Ryan Kerrigan are more DE than OLB….and Quinn, I dunno. He’s talented, but I’m just not sold on this idea yet.
I’m more talent than need based in my drafting. When you go need, you reach…you get desperate…and you try to convince yourself it’s the right move.
"Lord, beer me strength."
I have a hard time disagreeing with you
But some teams don’t always draft based on need but draft the BPA that fits a need. If Julio is there we really need to consider him because talent like that should be passed up for a less talented player that fits a bigger need. there is a good chance that both Quinn and Amukamara wont be there anyways but Julio will.
and the clouds opened up and God said "I Hate you Texans Fans."
It's a TWEEST!!
All jokes aside, I like this draft. Buster Skrine look kind of good.
We are all important to each other, and because of this we have a purpose. - Daniel Black (Yes, that's me)
It's a very nice track team.
Al Davis would be proud.
I think you’re overvaluing 40 times. If a DB runs in the 4.4 range and still drops to the sixth or seventh round, there’s probably a good reason for that: they can’t play. As for Skrine… Seems like Brice McCain all over again.
I’m not opposed to a LB early, but ILB is a position that can be filled relatively cheaply in free agency. And in a draft that’s absolutely loaded at DB talent, it seems ill-advised to wait until the 4th-round to get started there. Unless there’s a big run on CBs in the 1st, there’s going to be quality CBs available in the 2nd.
There’s another guy I’m interested in as a value pick: Marcus Gilchrist. But it’s a question of when… He could be around in the 5th or 6th, or he could get snatched up a couple rounds earlier. But he’s an athletic DB who has been projected as a FS, and he also returned punts and kicks full-time as a senior. Seems like a guy who is bound to contribute in some way.
I didn't pick solely on track speed
but the defense could use a massive injection of speed – especially on the back end. A lot of times the defense just doesn’t get there…..or gets outrun….and it’s because a lot of ’em (Eugene Wilson especially) are slow.
With Wilson, while he did play ILB…a lot of people believe he could man the strong side LB in a 4-3 or 3-4. He’s got the size, strength, and range to play either or and versatility is something I like.
As for the DBs in the later rounds….Skrine and Prosinski’s drawback is their small school/less known state while Cullliver’s is his positional inexperience. It happens to prospects all the time. They’re probably a little on the raw side, but they’re worth the late round flyer, IMO.
Funny you mention Gilchrist, I had considered him…he’s a name I wanna look into more cause I keep seeing that “athletic” word thrown about with him.
"Lord, beer me strength."
i agree that jones would be good but this is how i have the draft going.
1. move up to get patrick peterson
2. move up to get robert quinn if he falls to 15 or so.
4. or 5th depends on what we give up i would like to get deunta williams.
You mean pat OR quinn right
No way they could ever aquire both.
And I don’t think they would trade up for anyone besides miller. We need so much I can’t see them trading up
by AllenOU on Mar 11, 2011 2:52 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
no i am pretty sure they could move up if they want to.
if there is a will there is a way. even if that means given up picks next year. this team is ready to win now not later so we have to do what we need to. Uncle bob will be ok cause i am pretty sure he is not losing any money. cause texans love football and we will show up every game no matter what.
Can't give up picks next year without a new CBA
That’s the problem
by AllenOU on Mar 11, 2011 4:46 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I think you still can.
Just no picks for players.
also another thing i like is this one
draft quinn then jump back into first round and pickup martez that way cushing can stay outside. depending what we give up if we have a 3rd then we have to go safety.
Also i know i see this alot on draft day where teams give up next years picks if we have to i say do it give up alot of them to get the talent out of this draft
I'm not comfortable w/ this.
Mortgage the future for now? I’ve seen too many teams do it. So we get two maybe three good seasons, then were back to below mediocrity because we’ve had one draft pick the last three yrs. And last time I looked Texans no longer had the youngest roster on the books…..especially on offense.
Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid
At the same time...playing devil's advocate for the sake of it
A lot of key Texans are hitting their 27-33 prime years now. Is it really that bad to try and get it done in the next few years?
#justathoughttotthrowoutthere
"Lord, beer me strength."
Meh....
I can see your point…..and it is a valid one. Many teams have done just that, but personally I would prefer to build the team so that we have years of competitiveness, not just two or three yrs worth. I’ve suffered this long, I can suffer through a few more yrs.
Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid
9 years of suffering and not to mention the years we did not have a team.
don’t know about you but i am not benjamin buttons which means i am getting older and i want to win now.
by southpaw70 on Mar 12, 2011 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
John Moffitt would any of you want this beast at guard in 3rd round?
DeMarcus Van Dyke the speed demon at this year combine is worth a look but think he will be way gone.
Joe Lefeged he is probaly another pollard but might be worth it in later rounds.
Van Dyke's another guy I like
He had a pretty good Senior Bowl, IIRC. He should be a 3rd or 4th rounder….should be higher but he was overshadowed a lot by Brandon Harris.
"Lord, beer me strength."
yea thats what i was thinking too brandon harris got alot of attention.
which to me means one or two things teams was scared to throw to DVD or they just did not thing brandon harris was that good in coverage, either way i like DVD.
Teams didn't throw a lot on Miami
2nd nationally against the pass…but B. Harris gets a lot of the pub for it because he’s the higher draft pick.
"Lord, beer me strength."
As for late round CBs
I like Curtis brown and Rashad Carmichael. Also gilchrist as a possible safety
by AllenOU on Mar 11, 2011 4:48 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
also, who are you taking with the Dunta 3rd-rounder?
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
Or maybe NT there
Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid
by The Night Owl on Mar 12, 2011 5:19 PM CST up reply actions
I love this draft
We all need to realize that speed on the defensive side of the ball killed us last year. If y’all don’t know who Martez Wilson is, go check out his highlight reel on YouTube and you will be drooling. I like the Julio Jones pick because I don’t think we should take a risk on the defensive side of the ball. AJ and Julio combo??? That’s sick….I’ve been obsessed with Alex Henry since last year and think it would be a damn shame if we don’t get him, the kid is ridiculous. Moch is just a beast who can be released at any time with ridiculous speed. I don’t know about his coverage ability though. I would give this draft an A-.
plus they were playing the wrong defense, literally
They played ultra-conservative, zone, with no change-up. To any offense, they were predictable, non-challenging, and forgiving. The Texans players would have had to all be super-athletes to overcome that defensive scheme.
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
So you're suggesting that there will be improvement, even without an influx of talent
because someone who has actually been there done that is in charge of the game planning. I completely agree with that, with the huge question being How Much? As a diehard supporter I always err on the + side, and I truly believe that Wade will do here what he has done multiple times before. He will get the D to significantly improve. If we are fortunate/smart enough to add a couple of quality players then we might actually be average, which is all it will take if we get Julio and the offense stays healthy.
It took the Astros 44 years to get to the Series, the Oilers-Texans are due to get to the big dance...Go Texans!!!!!
by oiler-texan diehard on Mar 11, 2011 7:29 PM CST up reply actions
I will go right along with that thought
Defensive scheming needs to attack an offense and take them out of their game. You do that by being aggressive and unpredictable. Movement, overplay at times, quick hits, not allowing a the offensive player to be where he planned to be when he planned to be there, and so on. The Texans have some smart players. Use that smartness. Scheme. Get them in different positions. Get them in tight, so when the offense does make a play, the D can turn it around. Phillips knows this and can teach it.
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
For later round cb i like Davon house
But i like this mock. Could improve the team alot and somehow I have a feeling the real deal wont turn out so well.
At this point in time
I’d be happy with Charlie Brown PK in the first and Lucy van Pelt as the holder in the second round.
Just for the entertainment factor.
The world revolves around me! Especially when I'm flat out on the barroom floor.
by Seaborn1 on Mar 11, 2011 6:50 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
As much as we need help in multiple positions on D
and even if we don’t adequately address this in the FA signing period (if there is one), I would not be able to pass on JJ if he is still on the board at 11. His highlight reel is full of plays demonstrating that he cannot possibly not be a great NFL WR. Julio + Dre = unstoppable awesomeness even without a running game and an average OLine. Throw in another good year from Arian, and an above average season from the OLine and you have an elite offense; maybe the best in the league.
Just do it Rick.
Nice projection TDC. We need more speed on D, a new punter, and we’re due to hit on a low round safety pick, especially if we try twice this time around.
It took the Astros 44 years to get to the Series, the Oilers-Texans are due to get to the big dance...Go Texans!!!!!
by oiler-texan diehard on Mar 11, 2011 7:17 PM CST reply actions
Didn't the Oilers....
have a player that covered both P/K at one time?
Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid
I love these types of threads
It’s fun to play GM for a few minutes and players you want available in certain rounds will always be there, it’s awesome… My version of the Texans draft goes…
1. Prince Amukamara CB- Don’t think he’s a shutdown corner, but he will probably be solid in the NFL and solid is alot better than what we have currently
2. Quinton Carter FS- Like Bill Walsh did with the 49ers, we have the chance to draft our secondary of the future in this year’s draft.
3. Sione Fua NT- He’d be a nice backup for the ever uber-awesome Shaun Cody.
4. Joe Lefeged SS- Quietly had a Taylor Mays-lite combine, 6’ 210 lb safety and ran a 4.4 40 and around 37" vertical.. Another good project if he can sit behind a veteran safety we bring in whenever FA opens.
5. Bruce Miller OLB- the exact opposite of Moch, sub-par physical ability but excellent technique and production in college as a pass rusher…
6. Mark Herzlich ILB- Thumper inside, there’s a small chance he’ll return to his pre-cancer form sometime in the future, if so you’d get a 1st-2nd round LB with a 6th round pick, can’t beat that… even as is he could probably make a decent reserve/special teamer
7. Jeremy Beal OLB- With a poor Senior Bowl and God-awful combine, Beal might not even get drafted at all… at one point he was projected to go in the 2nd round I believe. This is one of those times I think numbers don’t tell the whole tale, and with a 7th round pick you’re not really risking a whole lot for the chance that he proves everyone wrong.
Nice
That’s a draft I wouldn’t mind one bit – especially the bit about getting that secondary of the future.
"Lord, beer me strength."
Q Carter isnt worth our 2nd rounder
He would be worth our third rounder though
by AllenOU on Mar 12, 2011 5:41 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I don't agree
I think Carter is the best cover safety in this draft. If both he and Moore were available, i’d still rather have Carter.
Ok , heres one with Robert Quinn as 1st round
Not sure if Brandon Harris will still be there but lets just say he is for this one. havent found anybody for my 7th rounder yet though.
1st Round –North Carolina OLB Robert Quinn
2nd Round – University of Miami CB Brandon Harris
3rd Round – Ole Miss NT Jerrell Powe
4th Round – Rutgers University SS Joe Lefeged
5th Round – Florida University P Chas Henery
6th Round – Clemson FS Marcus Gilchrist
7th Round-
by FLASH94 on Mar 11, 2011 10:29 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Nothing wrong with hoping
I don’t think Brandon Harris will make it to the 2nd round.
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
Depending how this court battle plays out
There might not be a free agency before the draft. That is very bad for us because we are one of the few teams switching defenses and we have alot of holes. We released both of our starting safeties, without free agency before the draft, they will have to draft at least one fairly high. I am not really on the Players Union side in this dispute, but lets hope they actually win this injunction coming in the next couple weeks as it would end the lockout and some sort of free agency would start before the draft.
That being said I have no problem drafting Jones in the first round. If we do that though, the next pick has to be a OLB, and the two picks after that pretty much have to be a NT and DB. We just have too many holes to fill and not enough time to do it thanks to the labor dispute.
I wish we could hire coaches without "having grown up in Houston" being a job requirement.
Technically we already have some NT(yah yah yah)
what we don’t have are safeties and SOLBs
These hands will always be rough
Agreed
I think our first two, maybe even first three, picks will go towards the best available player in the back 7. We have a little versatility on our roster where we could move some guys around, but anyway you set up the roster, we’re still going to need to pick up several players in both the secondary and linebacker units…, and if there’s no free agency before the draft, we almost have to draft players to potentially start at those positions so will need to do it very early on.
WR at this point in time would be a luxury pick for the Texans, with our severe needs on defense we just can’t afford it. Having a very good WR opposite AJ would be super cool, but Walter isn’t THAT bad and besides, how much would it really help the team’s overall record if our secondary was still laying down on the job all year long, or if we were unable to improve our mediocre pass rush? Julio Jones would be a sexy pick, but it wouldn’t help the Texans improve much next season….
Want to see the offense be even more productive? Create more turnovers on defense and 3 and outs giving the offense short fields. Maybe Jones has 10 more receptions in his rookie season than Walter did last season (and that’s if the guy has a good rookie season, most WRs do not their first year), is that really going to make a 3-4 game difference in record?
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